Upright rigatoni, tomato sauce, ricotta, and melted cheese create a stunning, crowd-pleasing Italian main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 1 pound rigatoni pasta
→ Cheese Filling
02 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
03 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
13 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
16 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
17 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ To Assemble
18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, for greasing and brushing
19 - Extra chopped parsley for garnish
20 - Additional grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan with olive oil and line the bottom with parchment paper.
02 - Boil rigatoni in a large pot of salted water until very al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Set aside.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
05 - Arrange cooked rigatoni noodles upright, tightly packed, in the prepared pan. Using a piping bag or spoon, fill each tube with the ricotta mixture.
06 - Pour the tomato sauce evenly over the filled pasta, allowing it to flow between the noodles. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella over the top.
07 - Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
08 - Let stand for 10 minutes before releasing the springform pan. Garnish with extra parsley and grated Parmesan. Slice and serve warm.
